Egypt 'set for run-off'

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Polling stations opened across Egypt for the historic first presidential poll since a popular uprising toppled Hosni Mubarak, capping a tumultuous transition from autocratic rule. Twelve candidates are running in the election that takes place over two days in 13,000 polling stations nationwide.

Whoever emerge as the top two vote-getters will face each other in a run-off on 16-17 June.

First year of democracy

Between now and then, there is likely to be intense horse-trading between the two front runners to win over the supporters of the losing candidates, some of whom share similar beliefs with them.

In Cairo, voters were thrilled by the free, contested election, whose results were not predetermined, but conceded that many challenges lay ahead.

"It's our first year of democracy, like a baby that is still learning to crawl," said Mustafa Abdo, a bank employee.

The election saw 50 million eligible voters given the chance to choose among 12 candidates pitting Islamists who pledged to uphold the uprising's ideals against former regime figures who touted their experience.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton congratulated Egypt on its "historic" presidential election, and said Washington was ready to work with a new government in Cairo.

"We will continue to stand with the Egyptian people as they work to seize the promise of last year's uprising and build a democracy that reflects their values and traditions, respects universal human rights, and meets their aspirations for dignity and a better life," Clinton said in a statement.

Electoral commission officials said turnout was about 50% over the two days of voting on Wednesday and Thursday, with some voters queuing for hours to cast their ballot.

In schools and other institutions around the country, representatives from Egypt's electoral commission carefully sorted the ballots, each printed with the name, photograph and electoral symbol of the candidates, into neat piles.

Contenders included former foreign minister and Arab League chief Amr Mussa, who touted his experience but was hammered for his ties to the old regime.

Fiery stump speech

Shafiq was also shunned by some for his time in Mubarak's government, but others praised his law-and-order platform in a country where many crave stability.

The powerful Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mursi, faced competition from Abdel Moneim Abul Fotouh, a former member of the Islamist movement who portrayed himself as a consensus choice.

Also in the running was Hamdeen Sabbahi, a Nasserist who was initially considered a fringe candidate but gained surprise momentum late in the campaign.

During his campaign, Mursi offered a fiery stump speech, pledging a presidency that would be based on Islam but would not be a theocracy.

The election seals a tumultuous military-led transition from autocratic rule marked by political upheaval and bloodshed, but which also witnessed parliamentary elections that saw Islamist groups score a crushing victory.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, in power since Mubarak's ouster, has vowed to restore civilian rule by the end of June, after a president is elected, but many fear its withdrawal from politics will be just an illusion.

The army, with its vast and opaque economic power, wants to keep its budget a secret by remaining exempt from parliamentary scrutiny, maintain control of military-related legislation and secure immunity from prosecution.

Mubarak, 84 and ailing, is being held in a military hospital on the outskirts of Cairo where he awaits the verdict of his murder trial on 02 June.

The former strongman, ousted in a popular uprising last year, is accused of involvement in the killing of some 850 protesters during the uprising and of corruption.

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